Compliance Class

by Liz Miller-Philbrook

Should your newspaper worry about environmental and worker-safety issues even though Congress slashed budgets for the agencies that monitor these areas? Yes! As a responsible member of your community, you want to operate a safe and healthful workplace regardless of the political climate.

To help the cause, NAA sponsored a Health, Safety and Environmental Compliance Workshop March 25 in Hershey, Pa., prior to the America East conference.

The seminar was designed to help newspapers understand regulations, determine which ones apply to their facilities and assist with compliance. The workshop addressed safety topics that affect newspapers, with an emphasis on hazard communication, noise surveys and chemical-waste management.

The Hazard Communication Standard is one of OSHA's hot buttons--it is the most-cited regulation in the newspaper industry. It requires newspapers to have a written Hazard Communication Program, maintain material-safety data sheets on all the hazardous chemicals in the plant, ensure chemical containers are properly labeled, and train employees. Employees must be trained before they start work, and all training should be documented.

Noise levels in the pressroom often exceed 85 decibels, the level at which the standard becomes effective. Does this mean that the newspaper is subject to the OSHA noise standard? Not necessarily.

Many smaller-market papers have high noise levels, but the pressrun may last only one or two hours. In this case, the standard may not apply. The best way to find out is to commission a noise survey.

Also on the agenda was how to deal with waste ink and blanket washes. The key to understanding the regulations is knowing how much hazardous waste your newspaper generates. Many smaller-market newspapers generate less than 100 kilograms (approximately 220 pounds, or about half of a 55-gallon drum) of hazardous waste per month and are subject to the fewest number of rules.

If you did not attend the seminar and have questions regarding health, safety and environmental standards, or would like copies of relevant materials distributed during the event, contact a member of NAA's Environmental Services staff:

Donald Hensel, Manager: (703) 648-1215
Liz Miller-Philbrook, Senior Industrial Hygienist: (703) 648-1230
Kelley Clark, Industrial Hygienist: (703) 648-1210
Allen Cooley, Industrial Hygienist: (703) 648-1325.